PSB approves Arshad Nadeem High Performance Academy in Islamabad

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has approved the establishment of the Arshad Nadeem High Performance Academy, a residential facility to be located at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.

The academy will feature three main buildings: a biomechanics lab, a Rehabilitation and Treatment (R&T) Centre, and an under-construction facility next to the Amir Khan Boxing Gymnasium.

The under-construction facility will include a gym and nutrition center on the ground floor, with a residential block for athletes on the upper level.

Biomechanical equipment will be installed in the biomechanics lab, and rehabilitation machinery will be placed in the R&T Centre.

Mr. Muhammad Yasir Pirzada, Director General, PSB with Paralympian Haider Ali at the Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad.Pakistan Sports Board

To manage the academy, the PSB plans to recruit foreign experts such as a project director, nutritionist, bio-mechanical engineer, video analyst, bio-mechanics technician, and strength and conditioning professionals. Existing staff, including sports medicine practitioners and physiotherapists, will remain in their roles, while recruitment for new positions will be advertised soon.

Budget

Shahid-ul-Islam, a senior PSB official overseeing the academy, said that the budget and initial plans for the biomechanics lab and the under-construction building have already been approved.

“Our budget is already decided. The budget and PC-1 for the biomechanic lab is already approved. The PC-1 of the building which is under construction has also been approved. The budget for equipment which will be used in R&T, will be re-adjusted,” Shahid told Nukta.

The academy will train athletes from 10 Olympic sports disciplines, including athletics, boxing, tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, judo, squash, weightlifting, wrestling, and shooting, with the goal of helping more athletes qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

How many athletes?

Glimpse of the Volleyball training camp at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.Pakistan Sports Board

A list of 100 athletes will be finalized for trials, after which 50 will be chosen to receive top-tier training facilities.

“Work is already in operation. We will complete the process of finalizing the athletes in two months. Federations have shared their athletes’ names with us along with their record and now they will be tested and trials will be held,” Shahid said.

“The athletes will benefit from these facilities while training at the academy. When they will reach optimum level of their training, we will consult relevant experts so that the athletes can be sent to target regions abroad for training,” he added.

Shahid also emphasized that the athletes will be replaced if their performance declines as the main objective is to ensure more athletes qualify for the 2028 Olympics.